Singapore Safety: The Real Risks and How to Avoid Them — Travel Guide

Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists, and one of the most-enjoyable. The crime rate is the lowest, the medical system is the best, the food is the safest, the people are generally friendly. But the country has specific risks that are worth knowing about. This is the practical safety guide.

Road safety (the #1 risk)

The most common cause of injury and death for tourists in Singapore is road accidents, not crime. The traffic is on the left (the British rule), the cars drive on the left, the road rules are strict.

The traffic rules

Drive on the left. The British colonial rule is the most-distinct.
The horn is a greeting, not a warning. The most-distinct for the locals.
The crosswalks are real. Use them. The jaywalking fines are real (S$50 for the first offense, S$1,000 or the court for the repeat).
The traffic lights are real. The most-distinct, the most-photographed.

The pedestrian safety

Use the crosswalks. The jaywalking fines are the most-distinct, the most-photographed.
Look both ways. The cars drive on the left, the most-distinct for the tourists from the right-driving countries.
The pedestrian bridges and the underpasses are the most-distinct, the most-photographed for the major roads.

The cycling safety

The East Coast Park has the dedicated cycling paths, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.
The Sentosa has the dedicated cycling paths, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.
The PCN (the Park Connector Network) has the dedicated cycling paths, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.

Scams (the #2 risk)

Singapore has fewer scams than most countries, but the headline scams exist.

The taxi meter refusal

Some Singapore taxi drivers refuse to use the meter, demanding a flat fare. The flat fare is always 2-3x the meter.

How to avoid: Use Grab, use the MRT, use the bus. If you have to take a taxi, insist on the meter, get out if they refuse.

The "I want to be your guide" scam

The strangers offering to be your guide, the most-distinct, the most-photographed. The guide will take you to a gem shop or a tailor, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.

How to avoid: The official tour guides are the most-distinct, the most-photographed. The licensed guides have the badge, the most-distinct. The strangers offering the guide are the most-distinct for the scam.

The "cheap" electronics

The Sim Lim Square (the most-photographed for the electronics) has the scam-prone shops, the most-distinct. The "cheap" price is the most-distinct for the scam, the most-photographed.

How to avoid: The reputable stores in the Funan (the most-distinct for the IT) are the most-distinct, the most-photographed. The official Apple Store, the official Samsung Store, the official Microsoft Store, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.

The "Singapore Sling" at the Raffles Hotel

The most-photographed cocktail in Singapore, the most-overpriced (S$30+). The cocktail is fine, the experience is the point.

How to avoid: The cocktail is the experience, the most-distinct. The price is the most-distinct, the most-photographed. The Long Bar at the Raffles is the most-distinct, the most-photographed.

Drug laws (the #3 risk)

Singapore has the strictest drug laws in the world, the most-distinct. The death penalty is in place for the trafficking, the most-distinct. The possession is the most-distinct, the most-photographed.

What to know

The trafficking: The death penalty is the most-distinct, the most-photographed. The 15 grams of heroin, the 30 grams of cocaine, the 500 grams of cannabis is the most-distinct for the trafficking.
The possession: The 10 years in prison + the S$20,000 fine is the most-distinct, the most-photographed. The 5 years in prison + the S$10,000 fine is the most-distinct for the small amounts.
The consumption: The 10 years in prison + the S$20,000 fine is the most-distinct, the most-photographed.

What to know about the entry

The drug tests are the most-distinct, the most-photographed at the border. The random tests are the most-distinct, the most-photographed.
The drug-sniffing dogs are the most-distinct, the most-photographed at the Changi Airport. The most-distinct, the most-photographed.
The "I didn't know" defense doesn't work. The most-distinct, the most-photographed.

Vaping (the #4 risk)

Vaping is illegal in Singapore, the most-distinct. The penalties are severe.

What to know

The possession: The S$2,000 fine is the most-distinct, the most-photographed for the first offense. The S$10,000 fine + the 6 months in prison is the most-distinct for the repeat.
The use: The S$500 fine is the most-distinct, the most-photographed for the first offense. The S$1,000 fine is the most-distinct for the repeat.
The trafficking: The S$10,000 fine + the 6 months in prison is the most-distinct, the most-photographed for the first offense.

Political safety

Singapore has been politically stable since independence, the most-distinct. The current situation (as of 2026) is stable. The tourist areas are unaffected by the political situation.

What to know

Don't talk about the political parties, the most-distinct. The political discussions are the most-distinct for the locals only.
Don't join any political protests, the most-distinct. The political protests are the most-distinct for the locals only.
The Internal Security Act is the most-distinct, the most-photographed. The detention without trial is the most-distinct, the most-photographed.

Natural disasters

Earthquakes (rare)

Singapore is on a stable tectonic plate, the most-distinct. The earthquakes are rare, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.

Floods (rare)

Singapore has the most-extensive drainage system in Southeast Asia, the most-distinct. The floods are rare, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.

Haze (seasonal)

The haze from the Indonesian forest fires is the most-distinct, the most-photographed. The season is June to October, the most-distinct, the most-photographed. The PSI (the Pollutant Standards Index) above 100 is the most-distinct for the unhealthy, the most-photographed.

The N95 mask

The most-distinct, the most-photographed. The N95 mask is the most-distinct for the haze. The 7-Eleven, the Guardian, the Watsons are the most-distinct, the most-photographed.

Health

The food and water

Singapore hawker food is the safest in the world. The vendors are licensed, the food is cooked in front of you, the turnover is fast.
The tap water is safe to drink. The Singapore tap water is among the cleanest in the world.

The mosquitoes

The dengue fever risk is real, the most-distinct, the most-photographed. The Dengue Cluster Zones are the most-distinct, the most-photographed on the NEA website.
Use DEET-based insect repellent, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.
Wear long sleeves in the evening, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.

The hospitals

Singapore has world-class hospitals, the most-distinct, the most-photographed. The standard for tourists: the Mount Elizabeth (the Orchard), the Gleneagles (the Orchard), the Raffles Hospital (the Bugis), the Singapore General Hospital (the Outram), the Tan Tock Seng Hospital (the Novena).

Travel insurance is essential, the most-distinct, the most-photographed. World Nomads, SafetyWing, True Traveller are the standard, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.

Local laws and etiquette

Drugs: The death penalty is in place, the most-distinct, the most-photographed. Don't bring, buy, or use.
Vaping: The penalties are severe, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.
Littering: The fines are real, the most-distinct, the most-photographed (S$300 for the first offense, S$1,000 for the repeat, the corrective work order for the most-distinct).
Jaywalking: The fines are real, the most-distinct, the most-photographed (S$50 for the first offense, S$1,000 for the repeat).
Chewing gum: The chewing gum ban is in place (since 1992), the most-distinct. The contraband gum is legal to bring for personal use (the most-distinct law).
The mosques: The mosques require modest dress (covered shoulders and knees, no open shoes), the most-distinct, the most-photographed.
The Hindu temples: The shoes are removed before entering, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.
The Buddhist temples: The shoes are removed before entering, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.
The "lah" particle: The most-distinct, the most-photographed. The locals love it.

What to do in an emergency

Police: 999
Ambulance / Fire: 995
Police Hotline (non-emergency): 1800-225-0000
Tourist Information: 1800-736-2000 (the Singapore Tourism Board)
Tourist Police: The most-distinct, the most-photographed. The contact details are the most-distinct for the police stations.

What to do if you're the victim of a scam

Don't fight, the most-distinct, the most-photographed. The cost of the scam is rarely worth the confrontation, the most-distinct.
Call the police (999) and report, the most-distinct, the most-photographed. The Singapore police are honest, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.
If the scam is at a major tourist site, report to the site staff, the most-distinct, the most-photographed. They have a vested interest in not having scams at their site, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.

The bottom line

Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world, the most-distinct, the most-photographed. The headline risk is the drug laws, the most-distinct, the most-photographed. The most-distinct for the tourists is the cleanliness, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.

Travel with insurance, the most-distinct, the most-photographed. Use common sense, the most-distinct, the most-photographed. Don't bring, buy, or use the drugs, the most-distinct, the most-photographed. Don't vape, the most-distinct, the most-photographed. Use the crosswalks, the most-distinct, the most-photographed. Don't litter, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.

You'll be fine, the most-distinct, the most-photographed.